Doesn't Self Feed at 10 Months

Updated on
February 14, 2011

R.L.
asks from
Phoenix, AZ
on February 11, 2011

10
answers

My son is 10.5 months and still cannot feed himself puffs or really anything for that matter. He is up to par on all other milestones except this one. Should we stop feeding them to him so he figures out that he has to do it? Thanks in advance!

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M.P.

answers from
Portland
on
February 11, 2011

Are you saying that when you put puffs on his tray he doesn't pick one up and try to put it in his mouth. He shouldn't be self-feeding. He's not co-ordinated enough yet. But he should be picking up objects with a pincer (thumb and finger) movement at this age. The next step is to try to put it in his mouth.

If not, I would stop doing it for him, so that he gets the idea he can do it.

I wouldn't be concerned at this age since he's up to date with other milestones.

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M.P.

answers from
Portland
on
February 11, 2011

Are you saying that when you put puffs on his tray he doesn't pick one up and try to put it in his mouth. He shouldn't be self-feeding. He's not co-ordinated enough yet. But he should be picking up objects with a pincer (thumb and finger) movement at this age. The next step is to try to put it in his mouth.

If not, I would stop doing it for him, so that he gets the idea he can do it.

I wouldn't be concerned at this age since he's up to date with other milestones.

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J.G.

answers from
Springfield
on
February 11, 2011

Try something a bit bigger than puffs. We started with graham crackers, but there's lots of crackers and biter bisket type foods sold be Earth's Best, Gerber, etc. that are easier to pick up. These are all designed to melt in the mouth, so they're not choking hazzards. I found that once my kids were able to pick up the food themselves, they really loved it and didn't want me to feed them anymore. Of course I had to be creative to make sure they still got enough variety, but it was kind of nice to be able to eat at the same time.

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H.W.

answers from
Portland
on
February 11, 2011

I agree with Susan; he needs to develop that pincer grip. I would work on this outside of mealtimes,when he might be hungry and frustrated. When you are working in the kitchen, pop him in the high chair and offer him three puffs (I believe they melt in the mouth, so choking might not be an issue, but check the packaging) at a time. If you offer a lot of them, it might become a different game to him and they may not end up in his mouth.

And if you haven't received any training or information in Infant/Child First Aid or CPR, now's a good time to look into it. Kids don't often have choking accidents, but when they do, they are deadly serious. Be sure to always be present and mindfully watching when your little one practices this.

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R..

answers from
Chattanooga
on
February 11, 2011

My DD has a few issues with the smaller puffs... it seems like it's a lot easier for her to handle the 'crunchies'.. (the gerber snack that look like cheetos...They dissolve really easily and she has NEVER choked on one...) She really likes the cheese flavored ones. Her problem initially wasn't that she COULDN'T feed herself, it was that she didn't want to. So I started finding stuff she REALLY liked... in her case it was the cheese crunchie with one end dipped in banana baby yogurt. I would put it in her mouth and let her get a taste of it, then put it on the tray in front of her. It didn't take her long to figure out how to get it to her mouth when she wanted it that bad! lol.

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C.R.

answers from
Las Cruces
on
February 12, 2011

I found it helpful to have my son eat with kids his age (or close to his age) that were self feeding. My friend and I put the kids face to face in their high chairs so my son could watch her daughter feed herself and he started doing it within a week.

PS - I am talking about eating things like the puffs and other finger snacks. Utensils are a whole other ball game...

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D.C.

answers from
Honolulu
on
February 12, 2011

kiddos just learn at the point when they are ready :) my advice is to keep putting some finger food in front of him, he'll figure it out. then soon after, your cabinets will be empty for the next 20+ years ;)

M.P.

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F.R.

answers from
Phoenix
on
February 12, 2011

I don't think your baby is unusual, but I would start putting some pieces of food on his tray and encourage him to play with it. It may take a few days, but he'll start mouthing them and realize that they're for eating--especially if you show him that they're for eating. Be sure to relax and enjoy watching him discover this new ability. I think babies who don't eat with the rest of the family often have this problem because they don't have anyone to imitate.